Quantitative morphology of femtosecond laser-written point-by-point optical fiber Bragg gratings.

We investigate the morphology of femtosecond laser, single pulse-inscribed, point-by-point (PbP) fiber Bragg gratings. Direct measurement of a PbP grating's refractive index profile was carried out with micro-reflectivity analysis. PbP gratings were imaged at sub-micrometer scale with scanning electron microscopy, Raman and photoluminescence studies were performed to probe the structural and electronic changes.

Noise in Brillouin based information storage.

We theoretically and numerically study the efficiency of Brillouin-based opto-acoustic data storage in a photonic waveguide in the presence of thermal noise and laser phase noise. We compare the physics of the noise processes and how they affect different storage techniques, examining both amplitude and phase storage schemes. We investigate the effects of storage time and pulse properties on the quality of the retrieved signal and find that phase storage is less sensitive to thermal noise than amplitude storage.

Picosecond acoustic dynamics in stimulated Brillouin scattering.

Recent experiments demonstrating storage of optical pulses in acoustic phonons via stimulated Brillouin scattering raise questions about the spectral and temporal capacities of such protocols and the limitations of the theoretical frameworks routinely used to describe them. We consider the dynamics of photon-phonon scattering induced by optical pulses with temporal widths comparable to the period of acoustic oscillations. We revisit the widely adopted classical formalism of coupled modes and demonstrate its breakdown.

Transformation of aqueous protein attenuated total reflectance infra-red absorbance spectroscopy to transmission.

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is increasingly being used to probe the secondary structure of proteins, especially for high-concentration samples and biopharmaceuticals in complex formulation vehicles. However, the small path lengths required for aqueous protein transmission experiments, due to high water absorbance in the amide I region of the spectrum, means that the path length is not accurately known, so only the shape of the band is ever considered. This throws away a dimension of information.

Colorectal adenocarcinomas diagnosed following a negative faecal immunochemical test show high-risk pathological features in a colon screening programme.

Aims: The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used every 2 years to screen average-risk British Columbians aged 50-74 years, with follow-up colonoscopy for positive results. Non-screen-detected colorectal adenocarcinomas are defined as those detected within 25 months following a negative FIT. We aimed to more clearly characterise these malignancies.

Should you repeat mismatch repair testing in cases of tumour recurrence? An evaluation of repeat mismatch repair testing by the use of immunohistochemistry in recurrent tumours of the gastrointestinal and gynaecological tracts.

Aims: The role of mismatch repair (MMR) testing has evolved from identifying Lynch syndrome patients to predicting response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This has led to requests from clinicians to retest recurrences of MMR-proficient primary tumours in the hope that the recurrence may show a different MMR status and qualify the patient for treatment. We aimed to determine whether repeat testing is warranted.

Metastatic Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma to the Endometrium: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) metastasis to the uterine cervix is very rare, accounting for less than 10 reported cases. GBC is an uncommon neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Many patients remain asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage or discovered incidentally.

Cytohistological diagnosis of pancreatic serous cystadenoma: a multimodal approach.

Aims: Serous cystadenomata (SCAs) are benign pancreatic cystic neoplasms that present a diagnostic challenge despite many investigational approaches. Notwithstanding the promise of molecular diagnostics, these tests have limited accessibility in day-to-day surgical pathology practices. We aim to corroborate and build on recent evidence which suggests that positive α-inhibin immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a helpful adjunct in the biopsy confirmation of pancreatic SCA.

Genomic characterization of a well-differentiated grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) represent a minority of pancreatic neoplasms that exhibit variability in prognosis. Ongoing mutational analyses of PanNENs have found recurrent abnormalities in chromatin remodeling genes (e.g.

PGE production at sites of tissue injury promotes an anti-inflammatory neutrophil phenotype and determines the outcome of inflammation resolution in vivo.

Neutrophils are the first immune cells recruited to a site of injury or infection, where they perform many functions. Having completed their role, neutrophils must be removed from the inflammatory site-either by apoptosis and efferocytosis or by reverse migration away from the wound-for restoration of normal tissue homeostasis. Disruption of these tightly controlled physiological processes of neutrophil removal can lead to a range of inflammatory diseases.

A nurse-led pathway to treat self-harm injuries.

Self-harm occurs frequently in psychiatric hospitals and other mental health and outpatient settings. Many patients at the Ayr Clinic are at risk of self-harm and often access the local accident and emergency service for minor injury care. The medical and nursing response to people who repeatedly self-harm, given increasing pressures and dwindling A&E resources, can often be one of impatience, frustration and hostility.

Why do women not return family history forms when referred to breast cancer genetics services? A mixed-method study.

Background: Personal and family data forms, completed by women referred to breast cancer genetics clinics, are valuable tools for verification and extension of family history, crucial steps in accurate risk evaluation. A significant minority of women do not complete and return these forms, despite reminders, even when completion is a pre-requisite for a clinic appointment.

Objective: To facilitate access of women at increased familial risk of breast cancer to screening and counselling services by investigating reasons for non-return of the forms.

Emission and nonradiative decay of nanodiamond NV centers in a low refractive index environment.

The nitrogen vacancy (NV) center is the most widely studied single optical defect in diamond with great potential for applications in quantum technologies. Development of practical single-photon devices requires an understanding of the emission under a range of conditions and environments. In this work, we study the properties of a single NV center in nanodiamonds embedded in an air-like silica aerogel environment which provides a new domain for probing the emission behavior of NV centers in nanoscale environments.

Cladding mode coupling in highly localized fiber Bragg gratings II: complete vectorial analysis.

Highly localized fiber Bragg gratings can be inscribed point-by-point with focused ultrashort pulses. The transverse localization of the resonant grating causes strong coupling to cladding modes of high azimuthal and radial order. In this paper, we show how the reflected cladding modes can be fully analyzed, taking their vectorial nature, orientation and degeneracies into account.

Lifestyle changes in women at genetic risk of breast cancer: an observational study.

Background: Lifestyle influences breast cancer risk. Women at increased familial risk may benefit from modifying behaviour, but it is not known to what extent they do so.

Purpose: This study aims to measure changes that UK (Scottish) women make in response to increased familial risk of breast cancer and attitudes to a risk-reduction trial.

Oral contraceptive use and BRCA penetrance: a case-only study.

Background: Women with deleterious mutations in BRCA genes are at increased risk of breast cancer. However, the penetrance of the genetic trait may be regulated through environmental factors. This multinational case-only study tested the interaction between oral contraceptive use and genetic susceptibility in the occurrence of breast cancer.

Predicting breast cancer risk: implications of a "weak" family history.

Published guidelines adopted in many countries recommend that women whose family history of breast cancer places them at a risk>or=1.7 times that of the age-matched general population, should be considered for inclusion in special surveillance programmes. However validation of risk assessment models has been called for as a matter of urgency.

Evaluation of the current knowledge limitations in breast cancer research: a gap analysis.

Background: A gap analysis was conducted to determine which areas of breast cancer research, if targeted by researchers and funding bodies, could produce the greatest impact on patients.

Methods: Fifty-six Breast Cancer Campaign grant holders and prominent UK breast cancer researchers participated in a gap analysis of current breast cancer research. Before, during and following the meeting, groups in seven key research areas participated in cycles of presentation, literature review and discussion.

Clinical relevance of health-related quality of life outcomes with darifenacin.

Objective: To determine the clinical relevance of changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) treated with darifenacin.

Patients And Methods: Data were pooled from three randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, fixed-dose, 12-week studies. After 2-week washout, treatment-free or placebo run-in periods, patients with OAB (n = 1059; 85% women; age 19-88 years) were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with darifenacin controlled-release 7.

Long-term attendance at follow-up of women assessed as being at increased risk of developing breast cancer in south-east Scotland.

Background: Women with a family history of breast cancer increasingly seek genetic advice and screening. In the present study we investigated referral rates and factors associated with long-term attendance for screening in Scotland.

Methods: We investigated referral rates to the genetic service over a 21-month period and long-term attendance for screening amongst the 226 women at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Long-term darifenacin treatment for overactive bladder in patients aged 65 years and older: analysis of results from a 2-year, open-label extension study.

Objectives: This analysis evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of darifenacin, a muscarinic M3 selective receptor antagonist, in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) in patients > or = 65 years of age.

Methods: Patients who completed one of two 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, feeder studies received once-daily (o.d.

Surveillance for familial breast cancer: Differences in outcome according to BRCA mutation status.

Women with a family history of breast cancer are commonly offered regular clinical or mammographic surveillance from age 30. Data on the efficacy of such programmes are limited. Clinical, pathological and outcome data were recorded on all breast and ovarian cancers diagnosed within familial breast cancer surveillance programmes at collaborating centers in Norway and the UK up to the end of 2005.

Provision of breast cancer risk information to women at the lower end of the familial risk spectrum.

Background: Breast cancer family clinics provide risk information as one of their key functions. Many referrals to these clinics are 'low-risk' women.

Objective: It was the aim of this study to report on the generic risk status letters and printed materials (in the form of leaflets) provided to this category of counselees by UK cancer genetics centres.